Harmony V Review

Sleek and almost futuristic-looking, M/Y Harmony V is the newest yacht in the fleet of Athens-based Variety Cruises.

Delivered to Variety in October 2008, the 180-ft. (55 meters) vessel was originally launched in 2003, but completely rebuilt in 2007 to accommodate the upscale market the line is attracting with its small ships and unique itineraries. It can travel at a leisurely 12 knots, has dual stabilizers, has been made SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) compliant, and received a complete cosmetic and technological facelift. Harmony V has three passenger decks and capacity for 49 guests.

Harmony V's 25 staterooms are sold in four categories: A, B, and C are determined by location; the two P cabins are effectively junior suites with small seating areas and Jacuzzi tubs. The standard cabins average 135 square ft. (12.5 square meters) which might seem cozy based on cruise ship expectations, but is actually quite spacious for yacht accommodations. All staterooms offer individual climate control, en suite Corian-clad bathrooms with shower and hairdryer, safes, flat-screen televisions, DVD players, mini-fridges and either large windows or portholes. Beds can be twins, doubles or queen; a few of the rooms have fixed bed types that can not be changed.

The sunny weather of the yacht's standard itineraries means a lot of time outside, whether it's on the sun deck with its loungers, at the outdoor bar, at the mini-spa for a neck and scalp massage or utilizing the watersports platform with its snorkeling equipment, kayaks and windsurfing gear.

Indoors you'll find a large and comfortable (and air conditioned!) lounge with an adjacent bar, and a dining room offering meals in a single seating. Meals are served buffet-style, reflecting the cuisine of the region. Wines and cocktails are available at additional cost. All meals are fairly casual affairs with the trend being that one dresses a wee bit better for supper than for breakfast and lunch.

Ideally sized for the coves and coastline of the Greek Isles, the yacht sails from either Crete or Athens from April to October with itineraries that include staples such as Santorini, Mykonos, Delos and Heraklion. This vessel though, is also able to get into ports as diverse as Spetses and Kea.

Onboard entertainment is limited to the televisions in the lounge and in-cabin (local channels only), the available DVD's, and to the guidance offered by the onboard crew and staff in terms of the history of the region. M/Y Harmony V also offers Internet service on a limited basis.

Passengers on M/V Harmony V tend to be well-educated, well-traveled couples and singles, most over 55, looking for soft adventure and historical perspective. They eschew the mob-mentality of the larger lines visiting this region. The seven-night cruises also appeal to honeymooners and those who have not quite retired from the business world and for whom a shorter vacation than a cruise in Greece usually indicates is ideal.